The request has been made...how do we shut the thing up?  I've been watching these young people all week as the muppet arises through distraction, avoidance, fidgetiness, you name it.  We've been talking all week long about...what do you do when you can't get the thing to shut up.  Here's what we've come up with so far:

Ask it a question:  Is that true?  Is that really true?  How would it be if I didn't listen to this lie?

Replace the muppet's message with a more powerful mantra:  "Yes I can"  "I can so!"  "You're not in charge"  "Anything is possible"  "Can't get it wrong"  "Just be"  Use any phrase that brings you strength and comfort.  All a mantra is, is a thought that you keep repeating.  Whose thought would you prefer to repeat?

Go to the ridiculous:  You are absolutely right...I suck,  I'm the worst, the world is ruined because of me or if I do this...blah, blah, blah

Gather evidence of how the muppet is wrong:  Look at how many places the muppet tried to silence you and the negative repurcussions of that one.  Look at where you ignored it and all went well.  Hit it with the facts, m'aam!

Leap anyway:  sit with the uncomfortable and GO!  Notice what happens.

This week I have the pleasure of co-facilitating a writing camp with 6th through 9th graders.  My partner and I agree that one of the greatest inhibitors to creation of any kind is the "muppet" or critical voice that rides around on our shoulder and continually lets us know that we are wrong or imperfect or stupid or can't do this or.....  We decided that we wanted to begin this camp by addressing head on the voice of the muppet.  And so we invited these young people to create the image of their muppet.  The range and variety was astounding BUT the amazing thing was the commonality of experience.  The muppet silences some and feels like puppet strings to others.  One is firmly held in the grasp of his muppet and is bombarded by should's and don'ts.  Another feels like the weight of the world while others echo the demands of being perfect.  Some pierce, all hurt and get in the way of full expression. 

 

And so I ask you...what does your muppet say to you...how much power do you allow it to have in your life?  What would it be like if you simply took a stance of inquiry and asked your muppet, "Is that true?  Is that really true?"  This has been an amazing process and the gifts of naming the muppet have been huge...more to come!